Captured equipment has been a feature of human conflict going back to the point where one human stole another human’s bashing rock. But normally there are limits on how much it can be used. Supplying, repairing, or training on captured hardware is usually a difficult thing – unless the enemy is using basically the same kit you are. The Russian invasion of Ukraine involves a contest between two sides using compatible (largely) Soviet or Post-Soviet kit, coupled with a Russian force that seems predisposed towards abandoning equipment to the enemy. The result is that Ukraine (supplied by its farmers in some cases) has made extensive use of captured kit (as have the Russian aligned proxies). This video looks at some of the data behind that captured kit, discusses some of the challenges involved in recovery and repair (thanks to a guest contribution by everyone’s favourite US Officer, Nicholas Moran) and the strategic significance of all this stuff that’s been recovered and reused. Enjoy – and join me next week for a look at Russia’s mobilisation announcement…